Evaluating The Potential For Acid Mine Drainage Remediation Through Remining In The Tangascootack Creek Watershed, Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 2500 miles of streams that do not meet water quality standards due to acid mine discharge (AMD), making AMD the greatest cause of water pollution in the state. The problem is mainly caused by abandoned coal mines. Pennsylvania is using a watershed-based approach to abating AMD which includes remining as a key component of a comprehensive restoration strategy. The Tangascootack Creek Watershed was targeted for AMD restoration through remining. Geologic mapping and overburden data were analyzed using Earth Vision software to identify areas of coal reserves which could be remined to improve water quality. Incentives are offered to encourage mining in these designated areas.